An editorial from the Halifax Chronicle Herald, published Feb. 10:
The 2016 census numbers don’t add up to positive news for Nova Scotia or the Atlantic region in general.
While Canada is becoming more populous, topping 35 million, Nova Scotia and the rest of Atlantic Canada are lagging in population growth rates over the past five years.
The figures provided in newly-released census data are especially challenging when you consider our province is also over-represented when it comes to older citizens.
Census data reveals that among the provinces and territories, Nova Scotia’s growth rate is lower than that of any province but New Brunswick. Little to cheer about there.
New Brunswick experienced a population decline of -0.5 per cent, while Nova Scotia managed a small rate of growth, 0.2 per cent, which represents about 2,000 people.
Nova Scotia also had the second-lowest rate of growth in the country during the last census period (2006-2011) at 0.9 per cent. It grew by 0.6 per cent between 2001 and 2006. These numbers only highlight how important it is to boost immigration to our province and our region.
There are some positives. Halifax did grow. However, at 3.3 per cent, it was at a rate less than the national average of five per cent.
Bridgewater (3.5), Middleton (4.7) Kentville (2.9) and Truro (1.9) also experienced some growth.
Many First Nations saw growth rates higher than the provincial average. Membertou First Nation (pop. 1,015) had 11.3 per cent growth, while Eskasoni First Nation, the province’s largest reserve (pop. 3,422), saw a 3.4 per cent growth rate.
But there were far more areas (Lunenburg, Chester, Windsor, New Glasgow, Wolfville, Yarmouth, Antigonish, Cape Breton, Stewiacke and Port Hawkesbury) which suffered decreases in population.
As StatsCan demography analyst Stacey Hallman told The Chronicle Herald’s Andrea Gunn, Nova Scotia’s numbers are confirming low rates over several decades and are not so much a downward trend as stagnation. Growth has been stuck at one per cent or lower since 1991-1996.
Statistics Canada relates the slower population growth in Atlantic Canada to interprovincial migration, low immigration levels, and high death rates compared to births, a reflection of an aging demographic.
The census data should not surprise anyone. The Ivany Report on economic renewal issued a call for action on our demographic challenge three years ago, citing immigration as essential to a stronger economy. The federal and provincial governments have responded with immigration initiatives which have started to show results.
But the 2016 census numbers clearly show how important it is to press on with those efforts and to redouble them. We have much to offer newcomers in freedom, opportunity, affordable land and housing and attractive, liveable communities. And we need to recognize the positive force that immigration will be to stimulate our economy, sustain our communities and enrich our society.
We need to show the world that our door is open and that a good life awaits within.
Halifax Chronicle Herald, Halifax Chronicle-Herald
